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Board of County Commissioners · Tuesday, October 28, 2025 · 1:00 PM · South Walton Annex BCC Boardroom, 31 Coastal Centre Blvd. Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

County Commission

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Summary

The Walton County Board of County Commissioners met on October 28, 2025, and approved numerous items including measures, several related to traffic and waterways regulations, and for tax-exempt bond financing and employee recognition. The board also discussed staffing decisions, community issues such as water quality testing near a closed landfill, and planning matters. Key votes included adopting new traffic and motor vehicle ordinances, establishing boating and waterway regulations, approving expenditures totaling over $20 million, and authorizing a consultant for the Planning Division.

Why it matters

These actions affect county operations, infrastructure, and development. The large expenditure approval funds essential services, while the new traffic, boating, and waterway update county regulations. Development approvals and zoning changes will shape future growth in the county, and the confirmation of department directors establishes accountability in county government. Environmental testing near the closed landfill and improvements to pedestrian safety and animal services address resident concerns about health and community welfare.

What happened

Development & zoning5 items

  • Tucker Bayou Conceptual - Final Order approval

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved on the . Acceptance of ALJ recommended order and approval of final order for a major development with 47 single family lots on 21.33 acres.

    Where: 35-2S-19-24000-001-0000; 26-2S-19-24000-009-0010

  • Inlet Beach Neighborhood Plan - Scrivener's error correction

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Continued to November 24, 2025 BCC meeting for direction on creating an to correct the error in Section 2.2.7.

  • Tucker Bayou Conceptual Overlay -

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    approved. Motion to approve passed 5-0. Project includes 47 single family lots on 21.33 acres with mixed uses.

    Where: 35-2S-19-24000-001-0000; 26-2S-19-24000-009-0010

  • Shorey with - Adoption Hearing

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Continued to next meeting. Motion to continue until code violations remedied passed 5-0.

    Where: 10-2S-20-33000-008-0080; 15-2S-20-33160-000-0330; 15-2S-20-33161-000-0110; 15-2S-20-33161-000-0120; 15-2S-20-33161-000-0130; 15-2S-20-33161-000-0150

  • County Road 3280 with - Adoption Hearing

    Passed 4–1 · split

    Approved after . Motion to adopt No. 2025-21 passed 4-1.

    Where: 35-1S-19-23000-002-0031

Budget & taxes9 items

  • Expenditure Approval List (EAL)

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved on the . Total expenditures of $20,220,240.99 across General Fund, Public Works, Building Department, SHIP, mosquito control, fines and forfeitures, housing, tourism, solid waste, recreation fees, and capital projects.

    • $20,220,240.99 · Total Expenditure Approval List

  • 2026 for unanticipated grant revenue

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved on the . 2025-73 amending the budget.

    • $194,606.00 · Unanticipated grant revenue

  • 2026 Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification for the Sheriff's Office

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved on the .

  • Tax-exempt bond financing for Sacred Heart Health System projects

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved after . Motion to adopt 2025-72 5-0.

  • designating fees and fines for traffic violations and low-speed vehicles

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved after . Motion to adopt 2025-75 5-0.

  • adopting fees and fines for non-consensual towing and storage charges

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved after . Motion to adopt 2025-76 5-0, as amended to remove the gate fee charge.

  • publishing fees for beach permits and violations

    Continued to November 24, 2025 as part of waterways discussion.

  • 2026-2027 Legislative Funding Priorities

    Approved by the Board. Administrator authorized to sign attestation forms.

  • Paid parking implementation update

    Update provided. Implementation targeted for March 1, 2026 at three locations.

    Where: Van Ness Butler; Grayton Beach; County Road 393

Roads & infrastructure3 items

  • Road Closure Request for 2025 Seaside Holiday Parade on County Road 30A

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved on the for a temporary road closure.

    Where: County Road 30A

  • Solicitation for Pedestrian Bridge Improvements on County Highway 83A

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved on the to advertise for solicitations.

    Where: County Highway 83A

  • Inlet Beach Underpass Pedestrian and Cyclist Traffic Safety Improvements

    Citizen request presented. Board directed Administrator to consult with County Engineer on cost and feasibility for future meeting.

    • $10,000 to $15,000 · Estimated project cost to be funded by TDC

    Where: County Road 30A and U.S. Highway 98

Utilities2 items

  • Rural Internet update - WildStar Bunker area towers

    Update provided. Staff will address during negotiations with WildStar.

  • Water quality testing at Alaqua Creek and Crawford Creek near old Coyote Landfill

    Discussion held. Administrator authorized collaboration with FDEP, Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance to obtain and review water samples, with testing proposal to follow.

Parks2 items

  • Notice of Commencement for shade structure at Wee Care Park

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved on the for Facilities Maintenance to install a shade structure over playground equipment.

  • Helen McCall Park improvements allocation

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved. Motion to allocate $100,000 from District 4 recreational fees passed 5-0.

    • $100,000 · District 4 recreational plat fees for Helen McCall Park improvements

Other21 items

  • Statement of Work with CivicPlus for agenda meetings and management services

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved on the .

  • Cannon 36" Widetek scanner with stand purchase

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved on the for the Building Department.

    • $7,244 · Purchase of Cannon 36" Widetek scanner with stand

  • 2025 Walton County Local Mitigation Strategy

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved on the . 2025-73 adopted.

  • South Walton Senior Center design build criteria package

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved on the for the Engineering Department to utilize a continuing engineering firm.

  • Annual License Agreement with Transparent Language, Inc. for Universal Class for Libraries

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved on the for the Library.

    • $1,056.00 · Annual License Agreement and Addendum No. 1 with Transparent Language, Inc. for Universal Class for Libraries subscription

  • Purchase of equipment for the Stabilization crew

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved on the by Public Works.

    • $681,000 · Purchase of equipment for the Stabilization crew

  • Memorandum of Understanding with Friends of South Walton Sea Turtles

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved on the for the Tourism Department for sea turtle conservation, awareness, and education.

  • repealing and replacing Chapter 20 - Traffic and Motor Vehicles

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved after . Motion to adopt No. 2025-19 5-0.

  • amending waterways and beach activities and boating ordinances

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved after . Motion to adopt 2025-20 5-0 (initially failed, then resurrected and passed).

  • for fees, fines, and permit suspension/revocation for boating violations

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved after . Motion to adopt 2025-77 5-0.

  • changing Gulf of Mexico designation to Gulf of America

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Continued to November 24, 2025 meeting. Motion 5-0.

  • Public Works Department Quarterly Report for July-September 2025

    Report accepted.

  • Backup Standard Operating Procedure for processing payments during internet outages

    Discussion presented. Board directed work on contingency procedures.

  • Community Involvement and Volunteer Policy

    Discussion held. Board directed Attorney Adkinson to collaborate with Administration and HR to establish comprehensive volunteer application.

  • Confirmation for department directors

    Passed 3–2 · split

    Motion to confirm all department directors (including County Engineer and Building Official) passed 3-2. County Engineer and Building Official included in confirmation process.

  • Executive Tourism Director position and organizational chart

    Motion to create Executive Tourism Director position died for lack of second. Subsequent motions withdrawn. No action taken.

  • Contract with Latilda Neel as Planning Division consultant

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Motion to negotiate contract with Latilda Neel as consultant to improve Planning Division efficiency and clarity in and passed 5-0.

  • Transportation of patients from freestanding ER facility to hospital

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Citizen request approved. Motion to approve five-year COPCN license request and letter of support passed 5-0.

  • South Walton Building Department office construction at South Walton

    Update provided. $1.3 million available; Administrator directed to research utilization options.

    • $1,300,000 · Available funds for Building Department office at South Walton Annex

  • Spay and neuter clinic in conjunction with 30A Cats

    Discussion held. Board directed Administrator to develop program collaborating with 30A Cats and Animal Control.

  • Election Worker Appreciation Day

    Passed 5–0 · unanimous

    Approved. Motion to adopt 2025-78 proclaiming November 6, 2025 as Election Worker Appreciation Day passed 5-0.

Coming up

  • Public for Inlet Beach Neighborhood Plan scrivener's error correction · October 30, 2025
  • Continuation of Shorey with adoption hearing · November 24, 2025
  • Continuation of waterways and boating amendments (Items 27 and 28) · November 24, 2025
  • Water quality testing proposal for Alaqua Creek and Crawford Creek to be presented

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